What is a common history found in patients with emphysema?

Patients with emphysema typically have a history characterized by smoking and a chronic cough. Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) primarily associated with long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs and airways. Smoking is the most significant risk factor, as it leads to inflammation and destruction of the alveoli in the lungs. A chronic cough often occurs as the body attempts to clear mucus and other irritants, which is a common symptom alongside shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.

The other options are less relevant to the understanding of emphysema. Regular exercise and a healthy diet, while important for overall health, do not typically correlate with the history of patients diagnosed with emphysema. Frequent infections and allergies may occur in some cases but are not defining characteristics of emphysema patients, and thus do not capture the common history associated with this disease.